Brandon Brooks happy to get back to work with his ‘brothers’

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – For Texans right guard Brandon Brooks, being allowed to participate in his first training camp practice was equivalent to rejoining his brothers.

“My personal background, I’m an only child, so I don’t know what it’s like to have brothers. But I would assume this is the closest thing to it,” said Brooks, who was activated Tuesday after passing his physical. “It’s just really good to one, get back healthy, and two, getting back out there with your brothers.”

Brooks started 15 games for the Texans last season and established himself as a core piece of the team’s offensive line. A non-football injury forced the third-year pro to miss the Texans’ initial two preseason games. The 6-foot-5, 335-pounder must now work his way into football shape to be ready for a Sept. 7 regular-season opener against the Washington Redskins.

Brooks was in uniform, although limited Tuesday, during the Texans’ first of three practices against the Denver Broncos. But simply having Brooks around was a step forward. With the third-round pick of the 2012 NFL draft expected to eventually reclaim his starting spot, Ben Jones and rookie Xavier Su’a-Filo will battle for the left guard spot.

“It’s always good to get everybody who’s been on the shelf a little bit back healthy. Brandon is no exception,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He’s played a lot of football here in Houston. He came back with a little injury and he’s working his way through it and it was good to see him out here.”

Brooks acknowledged he will play catch up the next three weeks. But he passed his conditioning test and was able to participate in pass protection Tuesday. He now has two games and a week of regular-season buildup to prepare for the Redskins’ defense.

“I’m starting from square one. … Any chance I get to get an extra rep in any practice I can, I need to do it,” Brooks said.